Clamp for bedding



(N0 Model.)

0. H. TRUAX.

CLAMP FOR. BEDDING.

Patented Oct. '7, 1890.

R m. N E V W WITNESSES INGTUM Ens cm, P

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. TRUAX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLAMP FOR BEDDING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,877, dated October7, 1890.

Application filed June 24, 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. TRUAX, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicage, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Clamps for Bedding, of which the following isa specification.

My invention is a device for an implement intended for connection by aflexible attachment to a bed and for clamping the bed-covering, so as toprevent the latter from being displaced by the movements of theoccupants of the bed; and my invention consists of a clamp having atoothed jaw, a socketed jaw, and a handle, as fully set forthhereinafter, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which--Figure 1 is a side view of my device; Fig. 2, a perspective view; Fig.3, an enlarged section showing the construction and attachment of thejaws and teeth; Fig. 4, a side View showing a modification.

The device consists, essentially, of two parallel jaws A B-one providedwith a series of teeth or pins 1 and the other with a socket or socketsfor the reception of such pins and a spring-handle C, having twobranches 3 4, one connected to each of the jaws and so constructed thatthe jaws will be brought automatically together by the action of thespring after they have been separated to receive the bed-clothes orother articles between them.

While the spring-handle maybe constructed in different ways, I prefer tomake it of a single piece of metal bent at the center to form acoil-spring 5, and each branch bent across the other, and connected atits outer end to one of the jaws, as shown,so that when the handle isgrasped and pressed the branches will be brought toward each other, andthe jaws will be separated.

Instead of making the handle of a single piece of wire, it may be madeof two pivoted cross-pieces with a spring for bringing the jawstogether, as shown in Fig. 4:.

Each jaw consists of a single strip or plate of metal, bent to form aclose V-shaped rib 7, and two side flanges 8 8, and each branch of thespring may be connected to its jaw by swinging the end of the spring-rodacross one of the branches and then binding it across one of the flangeswith its bent and flattened end extending into the V-shaped socket orSerial No. 356,534. (No model.)

recess w in the rib 7. By this means each jaw is secured firmly to thehandle, so that it will tend to maintain its position without breakingfrom the handle.

The V-shaped socket a: in the jaw B serves to receive the pins 1, notonly guarding the latter, but also preventing them from injuring any onewho may handle the implement, and also bracing the pins against thestrains of the article to which the implement is applied.

The V shaped socket in the jaw A serves as a means of strongly securingthe pins, each of which is somewhat preferably enlarged at the butt,inserted in the socket,when the sides of the ribs 7 are separated andthen secured by a heavy pressure, bringing the sides of the rib towardeach other, so as to clamp the pins firmly and hold them in their placewithout the necessity of using solder or other fastening means.

The device is secured by a cord or other flexible connection to any partof a bed or crib, and can then be readily applied to grasp any portionof the bed-covering, so as to hold it in place and keep it fromshifting, the pins being thin and pointed, so as to pass through thefabric without injury thereto and yet secure a firm hold thereon.

\Vithout limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement ofparts shown, I claim.

1. A clamp for bed-clothing, consist-ing of two jaws, one provided witha series of teeth or pins and the other provided with a V- shaped socketto receive the free ends of the teeth or pins, and a spring-actuatedhandle carrying both jaws, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a clamp for bedclothing, of the spring-handle,two V-shaped socketed jaws provided with lateral flanges, one of thejaws being provided with pins and the other having a V-shaped socket forthe reception of the free ends of the pins, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed. my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. TRUAX.

lVitnesses:

F. L. FREEMAN, O. E. FOSTER.

